The Midnight Board: A Halloween Charcuterie Featuring Black Garlic
Meet your moody, grown-up Halloween grazing board: deep blacks, warm golds, and creamy whites that let black garlic’s sweet umami shine. This guide uses both I Love Black Garlic Puree and I Love Black Garlic Peeled for layered flavor and striking contrast.
Yield serves 6–8 • Time 20 minutes assembly
Board Components
Black Garlic Centerpieces
- 3 tbsp I Love Black Garlic Puree (in a small black or bronze bowl)
- 8–10 I Love Black Garlic Peeled Cloves (glossy clusters “like gems”)
- Black Garlic Honey: 2 tbsp honey + 1 tsp puree (whisked)
- Whipped Black Garlic Butter: 2 tbsp softened butter + 1 tsp puree
Cheeses (choose 3–4)
- Brie or Camembert (top with a swirl of puree)
- Charcoal cheddar or black-waxed aged cheddar
- Smoked gouda (amber warmth)
- Ash-coated goat cheese medallions
- Optional: blue cheese for a bold counterpoint
Meats
- Prosciutto or coppa (folded ribbons/rosettes)
- Soppressata or truffle salami (fanned slices)
- Optional: candied bacon twists
Crackers & Breads
- Charcoal crackers, black sesame crisps
- Pumpernickel or dark rye slices
- Herb crostini for light contrast
Fruit, Nuts & Accents
- Black grapes, figs, blackberries, sliced plums
- Dried apricots or orange slices (Halloween pop)
- Marcona almonds or candied walnuts
- Mixed olives, rosemary sprigs, microgreens
- Optional: edible gold flakes for “moonlight” shimmer
Layout Guide (The Board of Shadows)
- Anchor Place bowls of black garlic puree and black garlic honey/butter on opposite sides to create flow.
- Triangle the cheeses Soft (Brie), hard (cheddar/gouda), bold (blue/ash goat) in a rough triangle for balance.
- Layer meats Ribbons of prosciutto, fanned salami, and stacked coppa between cheese zones.
- Add the cloves Tuck peeled black garlic in small glossy clusters near cheeses/meats.
- Fill gaps Alternate dark crackers and lighter crostini; slot fruit for color/juiciness.
- Finish Scatter nuts/olives, add rosemary, then lightly drizzle Brie or goat cheese with black garlic honey.
Pairing Ideas
- Brie + black garlic honey + crostini
- Peeled clove + prosciutto + charcoal cracker
- Puree + ash goat cheese + fig slice
- Smoked gouda + puree + candied walnut
Presentation Notes
- Keep the palette moody: blacks, browns, creams, and greens.
- Use candlelight or warm lamps for soft shadows and glow.
- Build height with stacked crackers and meat rosettes.
Make Ahead & Storage
- Prep dips and cut cheeses up to 1 day ahead (cover/chill).
- Assemble 30 minutes before serving so everything tempers.
- Refrigerate leftovers in sealed containers up to 2 days.
Product Links
Build Your Midnight Board
Use both products for the most dramatic flavor and look: Black Garlic Puree and Peeled Black Garlic.
